INTERESTING ITEMS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81844, 10 September 1906, Page 4

INTERESTING ITEMS.

An explosion of RO tons of chlorate ot Srtasc, at the Kuiz Alkali Works at St. elen's, was heard at Marplc, 28 miles away. The blast at Hell Gate, New York—l3o tons of dynamite—was perceived by oscillations of meicary 183 miles distant. The shock due to the explosion of about 50 tonß of dynamite at Johannesburg was felt at Pretoria, 33 miles oil, and when 50,000 kilograms ot black powder blew up in the naval magazines at Toulon, the noise waß heard at Ventimiglia, in Italy, 100 miles distant.

There is an underground city in Central Asia, supposed to hare been built before the Christian era, as effigies, inscriptions and designs found among the ruins date it bock to two centuries before the birth of Christ. The city is composed of long corridors, streets, and squares, surrounded by bouses and buildings, some two or three storeys in height; and by the beautiful symmetry of the streets and squares, and othsr indications, it is evident that the inhabitants of this old-world city had arrived at a high degree ot civilisation.

The Avenue Louise In Brussels is lined with chestnut trees, and an electric tramway runs along one side; but, strange to say, the chestnuts on that side lose their leaves in August, then bud again in October, while those on the other side keep their foliage till near the end of the year, and only bloom again the following spring. It is believed that the electric current of the tramway passing through the ground affects the roots, and -.auses the abnormal behaviour of the trees. It has long been known that electricity in the soil does influence vegetable growth.

A cable to the Kew York " World," from St. Petersburg says: A marvel of engraving has just b en accomplished by a youth of Odessa, who :s known throughout South Russia for the extraordinary precisjon of his work. On a grain of wheat he has engraved tue music and words of the Kussian national anthem with the aid of a lens. Every note is dotted and clearly defined. He was called to the imperial court to show the Czar the wonderful piece of work, which is framed in a tiny silver setting. The Czar, amazed at the production, gave the engraver a gold watch with his monogram on it. Between the two "ll.'s" of Nicholas IT. tlie engraver is now engraving a long prayer for the Czar's salrty, taken from the Kussian liturgy.

£arl Roberts, tha commander-in-chief of the British tnny, is a man of indomitable energy and tireless industry. During his tour of Scotland, which began on August 9, and ended on the 22nd, he had nearly thirty inspections to make. After travelling all night to Edinburgh he started work an hour and a half after arrival, having three engagements for the Sunday. He included among his engagements a visit to the new iiava l base at St. Margaret's Hope, and UnJ<v on Incbkeith, the guardian fortress of the Forth. His itinerary extended as far north as Inverness and eighteen cities %nd :owns were included in his tour. A ti«ort stay at StobsCamp, where about 30,000 men were under canvas, concluded his arduous fortnight.

Manilla is one of the mast important ports in the Philippine Islands, but strange to say, is one day behind all other places of its size in the world. This curious fact is accounted 'or in this way. Although the Philippine Island* lie near the Asiatic coast, they were discovered by Spaniards who sailed from America. When they crossed the magic line where Sunday changes into Monday these iery dons of proud Castilian anchors did not revise their calendar. When told of this years later, and informed that their mode of reckoning time was not up to modern notions, they only said that that was so much the Torse for modern notions. Anyhow, the fact remains that these isiunders keep plodding ilong one day behind the rest of the world which reckons time by new style. Not long ago a Tu~k, while repairing t roof, fell into the street upon a wealthy old nan, who was kiilc-d, without any serious lamnpe to the workman himself. The son of he deceased caused the workman to bo .rrc?te»l and taken before the cadi, with vhoai he all his influence to have the x>or nun condemned ; and, though the inlooence of the labourer was established, nothing could satisfy the son but the law of etaliatiou. The cadi stroked his heard, and hen gravely decreed that the workmnn should be placed exactly upon the spot where he old man had stood. 44 Now," said he to ; he son, "you may go on the roof of the :oti3*\ fall down npon this man, and kill him f yon can." Of course the son declined to .o anything of the sort, and the case was dismissed. P.ing tail monkey?, one of the moM, v»!u able and expensive of the smaller animal.) .ire caught in an interesting way. A coeor. :iut is split in two, and a banana will; * piece of wood running through it placed lengthwise through the nut, tiie two halvf>» of which are drawn together hv wires. Then a hole is cut just large enough for the monkey's paw to enter. The monkey spies the tempting nut from his tree. He hops down, looks it over, sees the hole and smells the banana inside. He is fond of bananas. Patting his paw in he grasps it, but the wood prt/enU it from coming ont. Then the catchers appear and the monkeys run for & tree. But he cannot climb because of the cocoanat on his paw, and he will not let go of that, so he is captured pawing wildly at the tree trunk. The acknowledged good qualities and success of Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract have brought out many imitations, and one case was just tried in the Supreme Court of Victoria, beforp His Honor Chief Justice Sir J. Madden, K.C.M.G., etc. _ His Honor, in giving judgment, said with regard to the Genuine Sander and Sons' Eucalypti Extract, that whenever an article is commended to the public by reason t)f its good qualities, etc., it is not permissible to imitate any of its features. He restrained the imitators perpetually from doing so, and ordered them to pay all costs. Therefore, insist upon what is proved beyond all doubt by skilled witnesses at the Supreme Court of Victoria, and by many authorities durirfg the last 30 years to be a preparation of genuine merit, viz., The Genuine SaTider and Sons. Pure Volatile Eucalypti Extract